Ware forming method and apparatus

Abstract

A method and apparatus for removing an item of shaped clay from a mould. The method including holding the piece ( 14 ) on a synthetic mould ( 10 ), pressing it against a resilient member ( 18 ) such that the member ( 18 ) substantially adopts the shape of the piece ( 14 ), and blowing the piece ( 14 ) off the mould ( 10 ), at which time the member ( 18 ) is compressed a little further to receive the clay ( 14 ) off the mould ( 10 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of removing a piece of shaped clay from a mould, characterised in that the method comprises locating a receiving member ( 16 , 30 ) of a resilient material against the shaped clay ( 14 , 32 ) on the opposite side thereof to the mould ( 10 ), urging the receiving member ( 16 , 30 ) against the shaped clay ( 14 , 32 ) such that said member ( 16 , 30 ) substantially adopts the shape of the clay ( 14 , 32 ) to provide a close fit thereagainst, and blowing a fluid through the mould ( 10 ) to blow the shaped clay ( 14 , 32 ) off the mould ( 10 ) and onto the receiving member ( 16 , 30 ), so that as the shaped clay ( 14 , 32 ) is blown off the mould ( 10 ), the receiving member ( 16 , 30 ) is compressed a little further to receive the shaped clay ( 14 , 32 ) off the mould ( 10 ). 
     
     
       2. A method according to claim  1 , characterised in that the fluid comprises air. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim  2 , characterised in that the air is warmed. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim  1 , characterised in that the receiving member ( 16 , 30 ) is mounted on a carrier ( 20 , 42 ). 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim  1 , characterised in that air is blown through the mould ( 10 ) following removal of the shaped clay ( 14 , 32 ), to condition the mould ( 10 ). 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim  5 , characterised in that the air is warmed. 
     
     
       7. A method according to claim  1 , and comprising detection means, wherein said detection means comprises first detection means for sensing when the shaped clay ( 14 , 32 ) has been blown off the mould ( 10 ). 
     
     
       8. A method according to claim  7 , characterized in that said detection means further comprises second detection means for sensing a reduction in the back pressure in the mould ( 10 ). 
     
     
       9. A method according to claim  7 , characterised in that the first detection means is connected to means for automatically separating the mould ( 10 ) and receiving member ( 16 , 30 ) when the shaped clay ( 14 , 32 ) has moved onto the latter. 
     
     
       10. A method according to claim  1 , characterised in that the mould ( 10 ) is rotated relative to the receiving member ( 16 , 30 ) once fluid is being blown through the mould ( 10 ), whereby to shear the water film between the mould ( 10 ) and the clay ( 14 , 32 ). 
     
     
       11. Apparatus for removing a piece of shaped clay from a mould, the apparatus comprising a receiving member ( 16 , 30 ) locatable against the shaped clay ( 14 , 32 ) on the opposite side thereof to the mould ( 10 ), characterized in that the receiving member ( 16 , 30 ) is made of a resilient material such that when it is urged against the shaped clay ( 14 , 32 ) said member ( 16 , 30 ) substantially adopts the shape of the clay ( 14 , 32 ) to provide a close fit thereagainst, and means to blow a fluid through the mould such that when a fluid is blown through the mould ( 10 ) to blow the shaped clay ( 14 , 32 ) off the mould ( 10 ) and onto the receiving member ( 16 , 30 ), as the shaped clay ( 14 , 32 ) is blown off the mould ( 10 ), the receiving member ( 16 , 30 ) is compressed a little further to receive the shaped clay ( 14 , 32 ) off the mould ( 10 ). 
     
     
       12. Apparatus according to claim  11 , characterised in that the receiving member ( 16 , 30 ) comprises a block ( 18 , 26 ) of greater thickness than the depth of the shaped clay ( 14 ). 
     
     
       13. Apparatus according to claim  11 , characterised in that the receiving member ( 30 ) comprises a piece or pieces of resilient material ( 46 , 48 ) mounted on a rigid support ( 34 ). 
     
     
       14. Apparatus according to claim  11 , characterised in that a rigid member ( 50 ) is provided on a part of the receiving member ( 16 , 30 ) to provide support for a part of the shaped clay. 
     
     
       15. Apparatus according to claim  11 , characterised in that the resilient material comprises a sponge or foamed material. 
     
     
       16. Apparatus according to claim  11 , characterised in that the receiving member ( 16 , 30 ) is formed such that it returns to substantially its initial shape whilst the shaped clay ( 14 , 32 ) is thereon, after the mould ( 10 ) has been moved away from said member ( 16 , 30 ). 
     
     
       17. Apparatus according to claim  11 , characterised in that the receiving member ( 16 , 30 ) is shaped to support particular parts of the shaped clay ( 14 , 32 ) when located thereon. 
     
     
       18. Apparatus according to claim  17 , characterised in that the receiving member ( 16 , 30 ) includes an upstanding annular projection ( 28 , 36 ) for supporting the rim of shaped clay flatware ( 14 , 32 ). 
     
     
       19. Apparatus according to claim  17 , characterised in that for use with holloware an upstanding projection is provided on the receiving member ( 16 , 30 ) which is locatable within the shaped clay. 
     
     
       20. Apparatus according to claim  19 , characterised in that said projection is shaped to substantially conform to the internal profile of the shaped clay.